A GLOBE TROTTER.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2778, 20 October 1923, Page 5

A GLOBE TROTTER.

Afc&lVilS Itf PAIMERSTOK

ENGLISHMAN'S TRAMPING

EXPEDITION

FIVE YEAItS* XOVR

As Big Ben in the City of London boomed the hour Of noott on one day in August, 1921. Mr. H. B; ("Billy') Herbert, took the first Step on What IB probably the most remarkabfe globetrotting expedition that history has, recorded, for he travels the world under conditions which, if carried out. Will reward him with the sura of £IOOO, as well as the proprietorship of an hotel.

A STRANGE WAGER. How this novel wager' was made arte! who the other participants in the strange agreement are, Mr. Herbert firmlv declines to tell, but he smilingly reconciled himself to an interview with a " Times" reporter oh his arrival in Palmerstoh North yesterday. The conditions governing the tout; specify that " Billy " must visit all th» principal countries in the world travelling by foot over-land, and woriunf his passage by sea. He is not to beg, borrow or steal money, neither can he wear boots or shoes, and he must furnish proof .of .his safe return to the City of London at the stroke of midnight on the fifth anniversary of his departure, by breaking a certain window and seeking arrest for the dct. He wears improvised sandaifc, consisting of pieces of iuotbi- tyre tied over a pair of thick sox. At every town and city he visits, he must secure the seal of the Mayor or sonite other official authority, and have it affixed in a book he carries for the . purpose. The protection of a firearm is denied him, and he must carry, all his luggage with him. This h» does in a knapsack and two haversacks. In addition, he has to write an account of his experiences on-to* tour.

Equipped in a military suit of light khaki, the globe-trotter looks lit'tl* more than 30, though he assured thw reporter that he had seen 53 summer*. OVER HALF-WA'T.: Mr. Herbert is now quite accustom., ed to his remarkable method of travel and states that he has covered halt the distance. In fact, he estimate* that his calculations were so fine tha* he knew himself to be a little over six weeks ahead of time.

Leaving London in August, 1921, hfc Walk-Sd to Dover and crossed »y steamer to Calais. Through France, Spain and Italy, he walked and rrorri trio last-named country went to Alexandria, and resumed his journey, pasS ins through Cairo, and viewing the Pyramids. Along the White Nile into the Belgian Congo he trudged, and it was in this territory that he was taken for a spy, and severely treateq by the authorities. He bears two scars on his face, which he states are the impression of several kicks he received while being arrested. Oh this occasion, the British Consul identified him, ahd secured his release.

EXCITING EXPERIENCES. Mr.' Herbert passed through German East A'frlba» all three Rhbdesias, tho Dlnkadihka country, Portuguese East Africa, Zululahd, Swaziland, Nbrth and South Trahsvaai.GriqUalahd.Natai and Cape Colony, and it \vos while hfc was traversing: the jungle wilds Die Africa that the globe-trotter met with some hair-raising experiencesi . OhO evening," he said to the reporter, ''l found myself literally surrounded with leopards, and having no firearms, £ was physically powerless; However, I played to them on my mouth organ, and tb my delight, the music had £ remarkable effect on the animals. They listened for a while, and then sldwiy retreated. On anOtlier occasion I hail a terrible fight with a leopard, antt still bear his teeth marks on my jcg and foot." Ah anxious night spent in a tree, with two ferocious and hungry llbha circling the foot of it, was another ordeal which befel Mr. Herbert. Tha roars of the beasts, ho said, were rible, and as the dawn arrived they slowly retreated, giving voice to their rage and disappointment. One day, ih the Zambesi region, hb came across a tremendous pythbh, which Was ih the act of killing and devouring a big bull antelope, the size of a donkey. F6r quite a time he was trahsftfe'd with amazement and tear, but recovering himself, he beat a hasty retreat.

HOW HE LIVES. Not being allowed to ask for money the walker of the world has sometimes to ''juggle" hard to pull through financially. When in MOhtte Carlo, he stayed just long enough to win a little at the tables, with which,' tb carry on. When coming through' the Sahara desert, he was two and ahalf days without water, though ho stated that 'he was, generally speaking, well provided for, and he fenjoyed good health. Ah attack of fever once placed him back a while, but illness is very infrequent with him-. An entertainer of merit, " Billy " plays the mouth organ as only one Of long sperience can. HIS FUTURE PATH. From Palmerston North, Mr. Herbert will proceed north, and hopes eventually to go right through NewZealand. He will then go tO Darwin, thence to India, China* Siberia, Japan and North and South America. A native of England, he is as active as a youth, and bears tangible evidence of his service in the Great War, the Zulu rebellion and the Matitbele war, and his recognition for distinguished service. He has more than hair finished his trip, and when midnight strikes frokh the London. Big Ben oh. the fifth anniversary of his departure, he fcopte to smash the prescribed window aim claim his reward.